Welsh Baby Names
Explore 290 welsh names, each with its own meaning, history, and pronunciation. Find one that carries the stories you want your child to grow up with.
Welsh names are among the most phonetically consistent in Europe. Once the alphabet is learned, almost every Welsh name reads exactly as it is spelt. The Welsh naming tradition draws on bardic poetry, Christian saints, and an unbroken Celtic lineage.
A short history
Welsh naming traces to the Brythonic roots of the language and developed through centuries of bardic literature (the Mabinogion, the Welsh Triads) and a dense tradition of saints. The 20th century saw a Welsh-language revival that brought names like Rhys, Bethan, and Cerys back into international use.
Naming traditions
Welsh surnames historically were patronymic: Dafydd ap Rhys meant 'Dafydd, son of Rhys', which eventually became Prys and Price. This is why many Welsh surnames are first-name-like (Jones, Davis, Evans). The convention was formalised under Tudor pressure to adopt fixed surnames, but the patronymic logic still shows in the language.
Sound and style
Welsh has a handful of double-letter consonants that work as single sounds: ll (voiceless l), ff (f), dd (voiced th), rh (aspirated r), ch (throaty ch). Once these five are in your ear, Welsh names become as easy to read as Italian.
Frequently asked
Is Welsh hard to pronounce?
Welsh is actually one of the most consistent languages in Europe once you know the alphabet. The double letters 'll', 'dd', 'ff', and 'rh' each have a single fixed sound. There are no silent letters.
Gwyn
“White, fair, blessed”
From the Welsh word gwyn meaning white, fair, holy or blessed. The name carries deep mythological resonance through Gwyn ap Nudd, the legendary king of the fairies and ruler of Annwn, the Welsh otherworld. As both a standalone name and a component of longer Welsh names such as Gwynedd and Gwyneth, it represents purity, spiritual radiance and a connection to the ancient Celtic landscape.
Gwynedd
“Blessed land”
Gwynedd takes its name from the ancient kingdom of north Wales, one of the most powerful Welsh kingdoms of the early medieval period. The name derives from the Old Welsh 'gwynn', meaning white, fair, or blessed, combined with the territorial suffix '-edd'. It thus conveys the idea of a blessed, fair, or shining land. As both a historic kingdom and a modern Welsh county, Gwynedd carries immense cultural and national pride for Welsh speakers.
Gwyneth
“Blessed, happy”
Gwyneth derives from the Welsh word 'gwynedd', meaning blessed, happy or fortunate. It carries connotations of purity and fairness, rooted in the Welsh 'gwyn' meaning white or fair.
Gwynfor
“Fair lord”
Gwynfor is a Welsh masculine name composed of gwyn meaning fair, white, or blessed, and mawr meaning great or lord. The name conveys both physical fairness and moral greatness, a combination deeply rooted in Welsh bardic tradition where whiteness symbolised purity and nobility. Gwynfor Evans, who served as the first Plaid Cymru Member of Parliament, gave the name enduring political resonance in Wales. It remains a proudly Welsh name, rare outside Wales but cherished within it as a symbol of cultural identity.
Gwynneth
“Blessed, happy”
Gwynneth is a variant spelling of Gwyneth, derived from the Welsh 'gwyn', meaning white, fair, blessed, or happy. The double 'n' in Gwynneth reflects an older orthographic tradition in Welsh, where the letter was often doubled to signal a short preceding vowel. The name also carries geographical associations with Gwynedd, the historic kingdom and modern county of north-west Wales. It is an elegant and distinguished name with genuine Welsh roots, evoking both the natural landscape of Wales and a tradition of grace and good fortune.
Haf
“Summer”
Haf is the Welsh word for summer, carrying with it all the warmth, light, and abundance associated with that season. The name is simple and direct in a way that feels poetic rather than plain, a single syllable that evokes the long bright days of the Welsh summer. It is a nature name in the most elemental sense, seasonal and luminous.
Hafgan
“Summer song, the song of summer”
Hafgan is a figure from the First Branch of the Mabinogion, a king of the otherworld (Annwn) who is locked in eternal conflict with Arawn. His name combines 'haf' (summer) with 'can' or 'gân' (song, chant), producing the beautiful meaning 'summer song.' He can only be killed with a single blow, making him one of the most distinctive characters in Welsh mythology.
Hafina
“Summer”
Hafina is a gentle Welsh feminine name, an elaboration of 'haf', the Welsh word for summer. The suffix '-ina' gives the name a melodic, softened quality. It evokes warmth, light, and the abundance of the summer season. The name has a lyrical character consistent with Welsh naming aesthetics, which often draw from nature, landscape, and the seasons. Hafina is rare but quietly beautiful, belonging to a tradition of Welsh names that are both distinctive and deeply rooted in the natural world.
Hafwen
“Fair summer”
Hafwen is a beautiful Welsh compound name formed from haf meaning summer and gwen meaning white, fair, or blessed. The Welsh letter f is pronounced as the English v, giving the name its soft, musical sound of HAV-WEN. The name evokes the luminous warmth of a Welsh summer, golden and glowing, and carries the same root as beloved names like Gwendolyn and Bronwen.
Harri
“Home ruler”
Harri is the Welsh form of Harry or Henry, derived from the Germanic elements 'heim' (home) and 'ric' (ruler or power). It carries the weight of royal history, as Harri Tudur (Henry Tudor) rose from Welsh origins to claim the English throne. The name combines Celtic identity with a familiar, friendly sound.
Hedd
“Peace”
Hedd is the Welsh word for peace, making it one of the most direct and meaningful of all Welsh names. It is simple in form but profound in resonance, a name that carries the weight of an entire value in a single syllable. The name is most famously associated with Hedd Wyn, the bardic name of Ellis Humphrey Evans, the Welsh poet from Trawsfynydd who was killed at the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. He was posthumously awarded the bardic chair at the National Eisteddfod, which was draped in black in mourning, giving rise to the most poignant moment in the history of Welsh cultural life and making his name synonymous with the tragedy of the First World War.
Heddwen
“Blessed peace”
Heddwen is composed of two Welsh elements: hedd, meaning peace, and gwen, meaning white, fair, or blessed. Together they create a name that evokes serene, luminous tranquillity. The element gwen is one of the most productive in Welsh naming, appearing in names such as Gwendolyn, Branwen, and Morwenna. Heddwen is a relatively rare name even within Wales, which gives it an authentic, unhurried quality. It suits families with Welsh heritage who want a name that is genuinely rooted in the language rather than anglicised.
Hedyn
“Seed”
Hedyn comes from the Welsh word for seed, carrying with it all the rich symbolism of new beginnings, potential and growth. A seed contains everything needed for life but requires nurturing and time to reveal its nature, making Hedyn a name of great optimism and quiet promise. The name connects to Wales's agricultural heritage and the cycle of the seasons that has shaped Welsh rural life for millennia.
Hefin
“Summery, sunny”
Hefin comes from the Welsh word 'haf' meaning summer, with the suffix creating a meaning of summery or sunny. It evokes warmth, brightness and the long days of the Welsh summer.
Hefydd
“Summer-like or of summer”
Hefydd is a Welsh masculine name rooted in the concept of summer, related to the Welsh word 'haf' and carrying connotations of warmth, brightness, and the fullness of the summer season. In Welsh mythology, the name appears as that of a legendary figure, lending it an ancient, heroic quality. It is a rare and deeply authentic Welsh name.
Heilyn
“Cup-bearer”
Heilyn is a Welsh masculine name derived from the Old Welsh 'heilin', meaning cup-bearer or steward, from the root related to serving drink at a feast. The role of cup-bearer in Celtic society was one of honour and trust, placed close to the lord at feasts and responsible for the ritual pouring of mead and wine. In the Mabinogi, the foundational collection of Welsh mythological tales, Heilyn fab Gwyn is one of the seven companions who survived the disastrous expedition of Bran the Blessed to Ireland, and it is Heilyn who opens the forbidden door in Gwales, breaking the enchanted peace and beginning the companions' grief. This literary association gives the name a mythological depth rare among modern choices.
Heini
“Ruler of the home”
Heini is the Welsh form of Henry, itself derived from the Old High German Heimirich, composed of heim meaning home and ric meaning ruler or power. The name therefore carries the meaning ruler of the home, suggesting domestic authority and a strong, grounded presence. As a characteristically Welsh adaptation, Heini feels warmly familiar within Welsh-speaking communities while carrying the same noble heritage as its Germanic ancestor.
Heledd
“Salt marsh, estuary”
Heledd is a name from Welsh legend, borne by a princess of Powys whose story of loss and grief is told in one of the great works of early Welsh poetry. The name likely derives from elements meaning salt marsh or estuary, connecting it to the Welsh landscape. Its haunting beauty and literary heritage give it a depth that few names can match.
Heulog
“Sunny”
Heulog is the Welsh adjective meaning sunny. It is formed from 'haul', the Welsh word for sun, with the common Welsh adjectival suffix '-og'. As a name, Heulog evokes brightness, warmth, and optimism. It is unusual even within Wales but carries an immediately appealing quality, suggesting a cheerful and radiant personality. The name is a pure Welsh vocabulary word used directly as a given name.
Heulyn
“Ray of sunshine”
Heulyn is a Welsh name derived from 'haul', the Welsh word for sun, combined with the diminutive or affectionate suffix 'yn'. The resulting meaning is ray of sunshine or little sun, evoking warmth, brightness, and positive energy. It is a poetic and distinctly Welsh name, reflecting the language's tendency to form affectionate diminutives from natural phenomena. Though rare, it represents the lyrical tradition of Welsh name-giving rooted in the natural world.
Howel
“Eminent, visible”
Howel is an anglicised variant of the Welsh name Hywel, derived from the Old Welsh element 'hywel', meaning eminent, conspicuous, or easily seen. The concept of eminence in early Welsh culture was closely tied to visibility, the idea of a person who stands out and commands respect. The name was borne by several Welsh kings, most famously Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good), the 10th-century king who unified much of Wales and codified Welsh law. Howel represents the anglicised spelling found in historical English records and border communities.
Hunydd
“Blessed”
Hunydd is an ancient Welsh feminine name generally understood to mean blessed or happy. It was borne by Hunydd ferch Edwyn, wife of the powerful 12th-century Welsh prince Owain Gwynedd, making it a name with genuine medieval Welsh royal provenance. Like many Welsh names, it is rarely seen outside Wales and represents a living connection to the early medieval Brittonic naming tradition.
Hywel
“Eminent, conspicuous”
Hywel is a distinguished Welsh name meaning "eminent," "conspicuous," or "seen from afar." It carries the sense of someone who stands out, who is visible and notable among their peers. The name's most famous bearer, Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good), was a tenth-century Welsh king who codified Welsh law into one of the most enlightened legal systems of medieval Europe. This association gives the name a powerful connection to justice, wisdom, and principled leadership.
Iestin
“Just, righteous”
Iestin is a variant spelling of Iestyn, the Welsh form of Justin, derived from the Latin 'Iustinus', meaning just or righteous. It carries the moral weight of justice and integrity that the Latin root implies, filtered through the ancient and melodious Welsh language. Iestyn ap Gwrgant was the last native king of Glamorgan before the Norman conquest, giving the name a poignant historical significance as a symbol of Welsh sovereignty and resistance.
Iestyn
“Just, righteous”
Iestyn is the Welsh form of Justin, derived ultimately from the Latin 'Justinus', meaning just or righteous, from 'justus' meaning fair, lawful, or upright. The name has been used in Wales since the early medieval period and is associated with several historical figures, most notably Iestyn ap Gwrgant, the last native ruler of Glamorgan before the Norman conquest of south Wales in the late eleventh century. It is a name of real historical weight, suggesting integrity, fairness, and moral strength.
Ieuan
“God is gracious”
Ieuan is the Welsh form of John, descended through the Latin Iohannes from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious'. It showcases how Welsh adapted international names through its distinctive phonology, creating something unmistakably its own.
Ifor
“Archer, lord”
Ifor is a traditional Welsh name of ancient origin, most commonly interpreted as meaning 'lord' or 'archer'. It has a compact, powerful quality that reflects the rugged landscapes and fierce independence of medieval Wales. The name is most famously associated with Ifor Bach (Ifor the Small), a twelfth-century Welsh nobleman whose audacious deeds have passed into legend. Ifor carries an unmistakable Welsh identity, offering a name that is at once historically resonant and refreshingly uncommon.
Iolo
“Worthy lord”
Iolo is a Welsh name meaning 'worthy lord,' derived from the older form Iorwerth. It combines strength and nobility with a gentle, approachable sound that is distinctively Welsh.
Iolyn
“Handsome lord”
Iolyn is a Welsh name of uncertain but ancient origin, possibly derived from elements meaning handsome or worthy combined with a diminutive or affectionate suffix. It appears in medieval Welsh poetry and genealogical records, suggesting use among the Welsh nobility and literary classes. The name has an elegant, understated quality that is characteristic of Welsh masculine names, combining strength of meaning with a melodic sound that reflects the musicality of the Welsh language.
Iorwen
“Beautiful lord or fair and majestic”
Iorwen combines the Welsh element 'ior' or 'ior', derived from a word meaning lord or ruler, with 'wen', meaning white, fair, or blessed. The result is a name that suggests noble beauty or radiant majesty. It carries a regal, graceful quality that is entirely at home in the Welsh feminine naming tradition.
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